In the first Chargers running backs meeting after Ryan Mathews suffered a broken clavicle last week, fullback Le'Ron McClain said that little about the injury was spoken.

"I think it was already understood," McClain said. "As soon as we heard that he went down, we knew we had to keep him up in his spirits while he was going through rehab. As for on the field, we got to step our game up in the backfield."

It'll be a group effort.

For however long Mathews misses, the Chargers will turn to a committee attack, coach Norv Turner said Sunday, relying on the trio of Ronnie Brown, McClain and Curtis Brinkley.

Mathews is expected to miss four to six weeks. Last week, he underwent shoulder surgery.

"Each one of them has their own unique style and brings something different," Turner said. "Ronnie Brown is the most experienced and, certainly right now, the most complete. But Brinkley has played for us, and Le'Ron is a guy who in his best rushing season had 900 yards rushing. Right now, I think it'd probably be a mix."

Each of the three averaged 3.4 yards or fewer per carry in 2011 over a sparse number of touches. They combined for 87 carries, 291 yards and two rushing scores.

Those numbers hold little clout with the team’s stance on the group. Turner and general manager A.J. Smith have both expressed confidence the pieces are in place to aptly replace Mathews for the time being.

Brown will likely be the leader in touches. The 6-foot, 260-pound McClain, who the Chargers also value in passing situations, offers a natural, physical presence in short-yardage situations, as the young, quick Brinkley fills a complementary role.

Brown and McClain were added this offseason in free agency.

“We all offer something different,” Brown said. “The good thing about it is the expectations for the offense are still the same. Nothing changes. We expect to execute. No matter who’s in there, our role is a little bit different as far as what’s asked of us, but at the same time, the expectations to execute are still the same.”

Sunday’s practice was the first Mathews attended since suffering the injury in an Aug. 9 preseason game.

While unable to participate physically, he stood among the running backs during individual drills and spoke with them on the sideline during team periods.

“Ryan was telling me what he was seeing, helping me as if he was out there still practicing,” said Brinkley, who is in his third year in the system. “If the opportunity comes my way, I’m going to try to make the best of it by doing the things I’m supposed to do — the things he would want me to do.”

It’s no secret around Chargers Park that Mathews has trained like a mad man for this season.

Shoulder surgery and all, it appears that won’t change.

On Sunday, Mathews told McClain that he planned to hit the weight room Monday morning for some leg lifting. The fullback says seeing Mathews work pushes him to work that much harder.

“We can’t wait to get him back,” McClain said. “We’ve got to hold it down while he’s gone.”